The National tribune., 1887-03-17
MUSTERED OUT.

PorrER.-Gen. Robert B. Potter, Of New York,
died few days ago at Newport, IL. l. On the
organization of the 0lst " Y. he received q com
mission rs Lieutenant Colonel. The regiment was
moved to Annapolis and soon aferward was at
tached TO Burnsides little army and brgaded under
Gen. Reno. They had their baptism of fire at Ro-
anolIe Island where Potter led three companies TO
the assault of the batteries and was the first to
enter the works. At Newberne the 5lst had again
the post of honor, and stOrmed the intrenchments
on the left of the rebel lines. There young Mai.
lie Grende shot through the mouthand Lieut.
Col. Potter received a ball through the groin He
remained on the field in spite of his wound until
the close of the day and his Judgment in pointing
the line of attack decided the victory in favor of
our troops From Newberne the 5lst was moved to
the support of McCieians army and soon after that
of Pope in what was known as the Second Bull Run
campaign Here they held the left of the line COW
ering Popes retreat. and here again at a critical
point in the day, with broken lines, Reno's Bril-
gade called to relieve disaster-Potter leading
the 5st in sight Of the entire wing-and broke the
rebels line At South Mountain where Reno fell,
the 5st was again in post Of honor and at Antie-
tam Potter achieved for himself an almost romantic
fame. Our troops were disorganized; the bridge
the Antieiam Creek lay in front of the enemys
lines and under the fun fire of their artillery. Potter
seizing the flag Of his regiment. crossed the bridge
and called upon his men To follow Gen. Hartranft,
with the Jlst Pa and secure the position and in the
words Of Gen. Mcclellan, he saved the day"
At Antetam Potter was again wounded. The 5lst
of which Potter had now become Colonel was sent
with Burnside's command to take part in the West
ern campaign, Potter, though Burasides staff
by Gen. Grants special order receiving indie
pendent command. During the Siege OF Knoxville
Potter and his division, with greatly inferior force
so manuvered for seven days to check the adj
vance of Longstreet and to admit Of the relief and
reinforcement of that post. In the Wilderness cam
paign he was constantly under fire. The assault
after the explosion of the mine at Petersburg fell to
Burnside's command, and Gen. Grant, IN his
memoirs says: In fact Potter and Wilson were
the only division commanders Burnside had who
were equal To the OCCASION. Potter had matured
plan for destroying the bridge over the Appomat-
tox River, which was said would have confined
Lees army and saved further fighting Mounting
his horse in front of Fort Sedgwick To lead his di
vision to this point be was struck by ball. While
he lay wounded he was visited by President Lin
coin. After the war he was assigned to the com
mand of the Connecticut and Rhode Island District
of the Military Department of the East with head
quarters in Newport X. L., and in the Autumn of
the same year married - daughter of MIR. John A.
stevens, of New York, by whom he leaves three
Young sons. Secretary stanton sent as a wedding
present to Mrs. Potter full commission as Major
General of volunteers for her husband In 1866 he
was appointed Colonel of tine list U. y Inf (eol-
/ ored) but never assumed command" Gen. Han
cock said of him that he Of the 10 best OIL
I GERS West Point not excepted in the army.
| HAHN Portland, Conn, Feb. 81, John Hall,
| aged 90 years. Comrade Hall entered the service
| Aug. 8 1857. ~ Sergeant in Co. d. 10Th Conn. and
/ served until the close of the war. He had % taste
of the horrors of prison life, being captured and
/ taken to Richmond at the battle of Chancellors-
viie May 8 1865. lie rejoined his regiment in the
Fall of that year and engaged with il in the danger
/ Gus and disagreeabe duty of guarding railroads
| and hunting guerrillas in the mountains OF Ten
nessee In the Spring of 1864 the regiment moved to
the front, and fought with sherman from Chatta-
nOOga to Atlanta, participating in the March 10
! the Sea-" and the capture Of Savannah, and was
present at the surrender Of johnson near Raleigh,
/ in the Spring of lo65 Serg't Hall was always
present with his regiment, excepting while pris-
Oner. and eheerful!y performed every duty imposed
| upon him. He was commissioned Second LieUten-
ant ut the close of the war, and was mustered out
June q. ls6J. He has since resided in Portland and
for the last four years was unable 10 attend TO bus
ness from the effects of disease and which finally
| caused his death. He was a worthy member o
| Mansfield Post, No. 3d. GAR, Department Of
/ Connecticut, and large delegation from that Pos
| attended his funeral.
CoFLIN.-Lieut. David A. Coffin. for many year.
! a resident Of Washington, died Feb. "a He was
gallant soldier. having served In the field Through
its entire term of enlistment as a member of the
old fighting lst Mimi, which lost over $50 men il
! he first battle OF the war-BuI Run-and subse